Don't Become Gator Bait!

Spring is quickly approaching and you know what that means. Flowers will be blooming, trees will be sprouting new leaves, and wildlife will be much more active. Remember to give all the animals plenty of space as they start moving around more. When viewing wildlife, a good rule for a safe distance is the "rule of thumb". Hold your arm out straight and stick up your thumb. Then close one eye and see if you can cover up the animal with the tip of your thumb. If you can completely cover up the animal then you are a "good" or "safe" distance away.

Another good guideline to go by is, if the animal changes it's behavior in any way then you are probably too close.

What's Your Favorite?

Pictured above is Noelle Grunwald, our new Kentucky State Advocate and Naturalist at Natural Bridge State Park.

Recently, we have been spending time at some beautiful state parks around the country. In the southeast we have been to Natural Bridge State Park Resort in KY, Harrison Bay State Park in TN, Amicalola Falls State Park in GA, and most recently Paris Mountain State Park in SC. All four provided great scenery and many recreational opportunities.

We are curious about some of your favorite state parks or some of your memorable experiences at a state park?

Let us know your story and if we should pay a visit to your favorite state park.

Appalachian Trail Celebration

This past weekend we were excited to take part in the Appalachian Trail Celebration at Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia. At this two-day event we had the chance to talk with individuals preparing to hike the 2,135-mile Appalachian Trail, along with other outdoor enthusiasts who came out to enjoy this amazing area. Since many of these hikers will be spending the next few months on the AT, it was a great opportunity to talk to them about ways they can reduce their impact while hiking this incredible trail.

Also speaking at the event was trail legend, Gene Espy. In 1951, Gene was the second person to thru-hike the entire Appalachian Trail. During the 1950’s only 14 people completed the trail. While the trail hasn’t become any easier, it has certainly become more popular. Since 2000 over 4,000 people have repeated the infamous trek. With an ever increasing interest in the trail, it was great to be part of an event focused on promoting and preserving this unique experience.